Tolland Delegation Announces Temporary Halt to Proposed Juvenile Detention Facility

TOLLAND – State Representative Tammy Nuccio, State Representative Tim Ackert, State Senator Jeff Gordon, and Tolland Town Manager Brian Foley announced today that the proposed purchase of a property along Tolland’s only main commercial corridor - in close proximity to daycares and elementary schools - for a juvenile detention-related facility has been temporarily halted.

The pause follows a productive meeting this morning between the Tolland legislative delegation, town officials, representatives of the Judicial Branch, and state officials. The meeting was facilitated by the Governor’s Office and resulted in an agreement to stop the purchase process until further evaluations are completed.

Judicial Branch officials pointed to state statutes governing real estate transactions that limit public disclosure during negotiations in order to prevent artificial inflation of property values. However, local leaders made clear that the community must have a full understanding of the proposal and its potential impact before any final decision is made.

“This is an important step forward for transparency and for the residents of Tolland,” the delegation said in a joint statement. “While this issue is far from resolved, we now have the opportunity to thoroughly examine what this facility would mean for our town before the state proceeds with any purchase. The voices of our residents must be heard in the process before any final decision is made, and we will make sure they are heard loud and clear.”

The delegation and town officials will be requesting a series of comprehensive evaluations, including:

• The potential economic impact of removing a valuable commercial property from Tolland’s business corridor.
• A full public safety assessment, including the facility’s proximity to daycare centers, residences, and other community assets.
• Clarification on operational details, security measures, and long-term implications for the town.
• Infrastructure impacts, including water, sewer and traffic

The veteran lawmakers and town manager also received assurances from the Governor’s Office that local officials will be kept informed as this process moves forward.

The delegation emphasized that this is a temporary halt, not a final resolution, and pledged to remain actively engaged throughout the evaluation process.